indentation
noun
in·den·ta·tion
ˌin-ˌden-ˈtā-shən 
1
a
: the blank space produced by indenting : indention sense 1a
a half-inch indentation
2
a
: an angular cut (such as a notch) or something resembling such a cut in an edge
indentations along the edge of a leaf
b
: a usually deep recess (as along a coastline)
a coastline with many indentations
3
: dent
Test [the fish] by depressing the flesh with a finger; it should spring back to its original shape leaving no indentation.—
Carole Sugarman
Carole SugarmanExamples of indentation in a Sentence
Our style guidelines call for indentation of the first line of each paragraph.
a coastline with many indentations
There were several small indentations in the surface of the table.
Recent Examples on the Web
Using your fingertips, press indentations in dough, pressing through to bottom of pan and jiggling your fingers gently to set indentations.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2025
And thanks to the intricate indentations of Eleuthera’s coast, there are also beautiful bays that shelter elite enclaves, like the Jack’s Bay Club on the island’s southern end.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2025
Data is stored on that film in the form of a series of nanoscale indentations.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2024
Thumb stones are about half an inch wider than the average thumb and have an indentation.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indentation
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Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2025
And thanks to the intricate indentations of Eleuthera’s coast, there are also beautiful bays that shelter elite enclaves, like the Jack’s Bay Club on the island’s southern end.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2025
Data is stored on that film in the form of a series of nanoscale indentations.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2024
Thumb stones are about half an inch wider than the average thumb and have an indentation.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indentation
Cite this Entry
“Indentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indentation. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indentation
noun
in·den·ta·tion
ˌin-ˌden-ˈtā-shən
1
a
: an angular cut in an edge : notch
b
: a deep recess (as in a coastline)
2
a
: the action of indenting : the state of being indented
b
: a blank or empty space produced by indenting
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